Enthusiastically, Dawn

As we move through the four seasons of The Writing Life, I think it is a good idea to keep in mind the fluidity of each and continuing overlap.  I think in the  next two seasons of writing this is most clearly experienced, although we move back and forth between the seasons in an ongoing journey, in writing as in life.

After the season of contemplation comes the point at which what is ruminating within seeks to come to fruition. There is a boiling point, and the bubbling over leads to something culminating… the birth of something new. Something previously  not in the realm of the creator.

For me the culmination came in the form of a blog.

The creative season is one  of bursting through, breaking through, coming to light and risking exposure. It is a risk that leads to  confrontation of fears, overcoming of obstacles and ultimately some new formation.

My first blog, Beneath the Surface: Breath of Faith was an exercise in exploration. An open-ended experiment that would change my life and help me grow in ways I had not anticipated prior to its birth. In this way it was much like my own child’s birth. An experience that both challenged and transformed me; one that continues to grow me in ways I never imagined; in itself is a glorious, beautiful journey.

I can’t help but think of the Anais Nin quote, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” , for this season is usually perceived as a risk. But in order to move forward change is unavoidable. We can avoid risk, but surely it is death to the seeds we have been entrusted to cultivate, sow, and share.

I recall the first time I felt the nudge to share my writing, instead of just writing it and keeping it stored away in my journal. It was such a foreign idea to me, I completely dismissed it. At the time I was working as a Personal Training Director for a Women’s Fitness Facility, and teaching exercise classes. I remember one particular pondering at the time, about my daughter, Disney Princesses, motherhood and whatever  implications that held for me at the time. But there was humor, tenderness , a spiritual element and God’s still small voice gently nudging me. I know I pretty much casually dismissed it…partially due to ignorance.

“God, and by the way, I have no idea what you mean exactly, or how to share.”

My response was to type out the  words. There they sat, stark on the screen looking back at me in a Word Document. There they stayed. I was newly married, had a small child, a full-time career and no clue to how God was leading me. I had no idea where to go with this tiny seed looking to grow, but in retrospect I see God preparing me, leading me, teaching me, what He would eventually bring to fruition as I learned. As I  look back I see a number of seemingly  unrelated  steps that allowed me the opportunity  to share grace, truth and my spiritual journey through words in ways I did not even know existed at the time.

While the Season of Contemplation works from within, the Season of Creation is most exemplified without. Contemplation within looks for a way of expression without. As surely as a flower blooms in spring and one season follows another a writer can  observe seasons of writing  in his or her  own  life.

Just as in a lifetime one lives through the same seasons repeatedly, yet uniquely, a writer will move through each season repeatedly, sometimes simultaneously and from varied perspectives in time.

What is longing to be birthed from within you in this season?

What seeds lay dormant?

Is there anything that you feel God is gently nudging you to do but you are resisting?

Is there any new frontier that seems scary  yet  you feel  God’s prompting?

Will you risk remaining tight in a bud,  sacrificing the unbloomed blossom that loongs to birth forth in this season of YOUR writing life?

What is the unbloomed blossom in your writing life right now?

Are you willing trust God and work together with Him to bring forth the flower(s)  He wants to see bloomed  through you?

********************

Stay tuned …as I continue to explain the 4 seasons of writing as I have experienced them. You can read part 1 HERE: 4 Seasons of the Writing Life (Part 1)

This is my story, this is my song…

#writingredeemed

I am Writing Redeemed in October for 31 Days, 

Thank you for joining me on the journey. I pray my sharing encourages you in your own journey. Write about it, journal it, share it!  Most of all, encourage another along the way.